Bledsoe resigns school board

A member of the Mount Airy City Schools Board of Education abruptly resigned Tuesday evening.

Amy Bledsoe, who had been on the board since 2012, handed her letter of resignation to fellow board members at the board’s meeting.

In a subsequent statement, board Chairman Wendy Carriker thanked Bledsoe for her service throughout the period of the past three years, calling Bledsoe a valued and dedicated member of the board.

On Wednesday Carriker said that Bledsoe had made her aware of the forthcoming resignation “earlier in the week,” though she went on to say that Bledsoe’s resignation had not been expected. “I hate it (losing Bledsoe as a member of the board),” commented Carriker. “She has been an excellent board member.”

Prior to the board moving into closed session Tuesday evening, Bledsoe asked Carriker for a moment to read her letter of resignation. In the letter Bledsoe cited a need to devote more time to personal matters as her reason for resigning. Bledsoe explained that she was in graduate school and had also sold her Mount Airy home.

Bledsoe went on to describe her move to leave the board as “a hard decision.”

“I enjoyed serving on the school board, and I love what the school board is doing,” said Bledsoe. “The board is moving in the right direction.”

Bledsoe, who is now renting a home in the north district, said her resignation was likely to come eventually. However, she said timing the resignation in the manner she did will allow her successor to have a full year on the board prior to facing an election to be retained.

Bledsoe also said the school board will have no issues filling the vacancy she left. “I know there will be a long list of good candidates to fill the seat in that district,” concluded Bledsoe.

According to Carriker the board will now work to fill Bledsoe’s former position in accordance with the procedure outlined in the N.C. General Statutes. Per the statute the board of education, by means of a majority vote, will appoint a replacement to fill Bledsoe’s seat for the remainder of her term in office.

Carriker’s statement asks that those interested in filling the vacancy submit a letter of interest to her at 483 Farmbrook Road, Mount Airy, North Carolina 27030 or wcarriker@mtairy.k12.nc.us.

According to Carriker, in order to be eligible to serve in the post interested candidates must be at least 21-years-old and reside in Mount Airy District B, which includes Mount Airy precincts two and three. Additionally, if employed by the board of education, a candidate would be required to resign his or her employment prior to taking the school board position.

Bledsoe’s unexpired term runs through November 2016.

By Andy Winemiller

awinemiller@civitasmedia.com

Andy Winemiller is a staff writer at The Mount Airy News. Andy can be reached at (336) 415-4698 or awinemiller@civitasmedia.com.

Andy Winemiller is a staff writer at The Mount Airy News. Andy can be reached at (336) 415-4698 or awinemiller@civitasmedia.com.